Remembrance Day honours our history and preserves a legacy for the future

Remembrance Day in Bourke. Photo David Sharp

Communities across the far west, across NSW and across the nation stood in silence on Remembrance Day, to honour the servicemen and women who lost their lives in war.

Remembrance Day holds deep significance in Bourke, Walgett, Brewarrina and beyond, with the commemorations held on November 11 connecting our communities with a shared history. Like small towns across Australia, Bourke contributed a significant number of local people to serve in past wars, particularly during World War I and World War II. The memorial at the Cenotaph in Central Park lists the names — sometimes from the same family — of those who made immense sacrifice in war. Bourke also had a significant number of local veterans who fought in Vietnam and who are equally honoured on Remembrance Day.

In attendance at the ceremony in Central Park on Tuesday were students from St Ignatius Parish School, including the choir, led by Josh Knight, and from Bourke Public School, Bourke High School and Koinonia Christian School. Members of our emergency services, including Police and NSW Fire and Rescue, as well as Bourke Shire Council, joined Bourke RSL VIce President Kelly Lienesch and President Victor Bartley as they lay wreaths at the Cenotaph, a ceremony that reflects the importance of remembrance, respect, and gratitude. […]

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